In the meantime, even taverns provide some car parking spaces, you should definitely ask for the daily price in advance! Although there are some parking areas around the village, the vast majority of them are subject to a fee and often the few free spaces, e.g. Parking spaces in Oia are limited and especially in summer, the search for a free parking space can be frustrating. A few hours before and after the Oia sunset, the public buses are unfortunately usually completely overcrowded and sometimes no more passengers are taken along. The starting point of the hiking tour is the main town of Fira. You can reach the village by taxi, bus, rental car or on foot via an impressive hike along the caldera. If you can do without the hustle and bustle in the town centre, you should switch to the quieter neighbouring village of Perivolas in the east.
(For other swim spots, you’ll want to check out the beaches of Milos!). We visited in late afternoon (about 3 hours before sunset), and it was perfect! If you don’t want to partake in cliff jumping, you can just swim in the sea and enjoy the beautiful waters of the Aegean. If you don’t want to walk back up, taxis are available, but they’re a bit expensive. Some people opt to ride donkeys down, but I don’t personally recommend it. To get there, you’ll walk down a long set of steep steps that start near the castle ruins. It’s important to know that there will be lines of people at the most popular photo spots. It was still a little busy, but nothing compared to the mob of people that show up at sunset.
Unda Food Concept – Small restaurant located on the northern edge of the village with newly interpreted Greek dishes at star level. Cocoon Bar– Trendy restaurant-snack bar not far from the Oia main car park. Many an artist and freelancer has already emigrated from Oia, completely unnerved, and moved to Thirassia’s main town Manolas resettled. In summer, you can stop at one of the taverns or walk along the pier. Once you’ve made it through the narrow alleys filled with crowds, you’ll be able to marvel at three white windmills. If you stop by in the morning hours or for a siesta, you can enjoy the panorama relatively undisturbed.
Standing at a relatively short distance from the main island town and the airport, the hotel oversees the famous Caldera … One of the most popular attractions in the town is sunset viewing. Personally, I think staying in Oia is totally worth it, especially if you want to enjoy the early mornings and late evenings without the day-trip crowds. No matter which you choose, don’t miss the chance to try the local wine when visiting Oia. Or, if you want to visit an actual winery, there’s Domaine Sigalas, located just 10-minutes outside of Oia. Right off the main walkway, this tiny, independently owned bookstore is worth popping into when you’re strolling the streets of Oia.
Recommendations For Oia Restaurants
Below is a map of Oia to help you get better acquainted with the town and the spots on this list of things to do! I still think Oia is worth visiting despite the crowds, but more on that later! Its whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and narrow walkways perched along the edge of the caldera have made it one of the most iconic spots in all of Greece. As mentioned, Oia sits at the northern tip of Santorini (see map below) and is hands-down the most photographed town on the island. So what is there actually to do in Oia besides take in the incredible views of the sea and pretend you’re in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? But don’t let the size fool you, Oia is packed with charm and more things to do than you’d expect!
In 1976 the town was included in the programme for preservation and development of traditional settlements of the Greek National Tourism Organisation under Aris Konstantinidis. There is a ferry connection to Therasia from the harbour village of Ormos Ammoudi (Όρμος Αμμουδιού; also spelled Amoudi) to the west. The small fishing village of Ormos Armeni (Όρμος Αρμένης) lies below Oia to the south and is reached via steps. Oia is a scenic village on the north west edge of the Santorini island within the Cyclades. The epicentre of the strongest aftershock (magnitude 7.2) was located off the northern coast of Santorini.
We unfortunately didn’t do a sunset cruise on Santorini since we already had a boat day planned on Milos, and I really regret it! After boarding the boat, you’ll get to visit the famous Red Beach for swimming and snorkeling (gear is included) and then sail around the Santorini coastline. If you do decide to go, you can also wander around to less-packed destinations near the castle ruins for similar views without the crowds! From here, you’ll get an unobstructed view of the sun dipping into the sea, with the white buildings and windmills lighting up in golden hour glow. Plus, the view of Oia right after sunset with the twinkling lights along the caldera is simply magical. We had an incredible dinner at Sunset Ammoudi right on the water’s edge, complete with fresh grilled octopus (a staple), calamari, and traditional Greek wine!
One of the most recognisable buildings in the town is an old windmill, which often appears on postcards. Many of adrian's game the yposkafa spitia (υπόσκαφα σπίτια), simple seamen's houses on the edge of the caldera, became guest-houses, hotels, and restaurants. The main street in the town, in the central square, is the main trekking path, which is cobbled, called the "Nikolaou Nomikou", which goes up the hill winding round the caldera. The village is located on top of a hill, at about 150 m (500 ft) elevation, and known as the "Eagles nest" from where Palia and Nea Kameni volcanoes are seen, and also the island of Therasia. If you’re planning to explore the rest of the island, you could rent an ATV or scooter for a day or two, but it’s not necessary for enjoying Oia itself.
Watching the sunset from the water while sipping wine sounds like the ideal way to end a day in Santorini. It’s still a great experience, especially if it’s your first time in Santorini, but don’t feel like you have to fight the crowds every night. If you want a front-row spot, you’ll need to get there well in advance—sometimes over an hour early during peak season. If you want to catch a sunset in Oia from land (while not eating dinner), chances are you’ll end up at the castle ruins—it’s the most famous viewing spot on the island. Another incredible thing to do in Oia is have a sunset dinner (this also helps you avoid the crowds watching the sunset!).
Even in summer, large parts of the beach section are deserted here, as there is no operator. Popular with local youths, who daringly jump from rocks into the sea here. From Manolas, however, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Santorini caldera. The many steps to the upper village of Manolas are a deterrent. The port of Korfos is also well visited in summer, but most tourists do not get beyond the jetty.
A lot of people only visit Oia for a few hours to catch the sunset, or see it during the middle of the day in the peak of cruise crowds. They are located directly opposite the Londsa Castle and from here you can enjoy a no less spectacular sunset. Onwards, more and more people flock to the small town, including many cruise tourists and it is difficult to find a free parking space around Oia. Alternatively, you can switch to the low season, because from October to April far fewer people make the pilgrimage to the village of 500 inhabitants. You may leave your vehicle there and enjoy long walks along the village's paths. A car parking area at the entrance makes the village easy to approach. The village's diverse culinary scene features restaurants at a scenic location, where you can savor a gourmet dinner on a terrace while gazing at the sea and the sunset.
Prohibition signs in many places warn that Oia is not an amusement park and that the privacy of the locals should be respected. You should plan about 2-3 hours for your visit, great photo opportunities are waiting for you on every corner. Ideally, you should start your walk from the east and make your way through the long Nikolaou Nomikou Alley (Mainstreet of Oia) to the west. The natural spectacle knows how to inspire and so Oia is rightly one of the most popular things to do in Greece. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Oia every year to discover the unique Sunset of Santorini . Sometimes even vacationers from other islands (including Crete) travel to Santorini for just one day to catch a glimpse of the village. Using a car allows visitors to discover Oia and many other places of interest at their own pace. When visiting the village, don't miss the opportunity to have an unforgettable dining experience in one of the most romantic settings.
On a short trip, you will get a first impression of the island on the western caldera rim. Gleaming white houses, volcanic landscapes and fantastic views of the caldera and all this without crowds. The Thirassia Island Manolas with its pretty village feels like it’s only a stone’s throw away from Oia, yet the two places are worlds apart. Kaiki boats run from Ammoudi several times a day during the season to the tranquil neighboring island of Thirassia (see #6). Alternatively, you can take the paved road, but parking at the port is limited. In the off-season, on the other hand, the fisherman’s nest seems deserted. The idyllic hamlet is impressively located below the red lava rock cliffs of Oia.
Even if you’re not looking to buy much, it’s fun to pop into a few shops while you’re walking through the village. Come sunset, you’ll be spoiled with a full buffet dinner and unlimited white wine! Another great way to enjoy the famous Santorini sunsets without the crowds is by taking a sunset cruise. Once you’re down at the port, you’ll see a few restaurants and fishing boats (more on that later). Oia is known around the world for its sunsets, but what most people don’t realize is that sunrise can actually be the better time for photos. (Luckily, our amazing hotel owner carried both of our giant checked bags for us!!!). Staying in a hotel where you can escape the crowds and still enjoy the dreamy views is one of my top tips for visiting Oia!